memory stick doesn't work in one slot but works in other

M6AJul 10, 2014, 1:00 AM

Hello, I'm a long time reader of your forum.

My question is about a memory stick that doesn't work in one slot but works in other slots. However, there are no problems with the other sticks. They all work in all the slots. The memory in question has passed Memtest. Is this a common occurrence or does the memory has some issues somehow? I'm wondering if I have a bad memory.

This depends on so many factors that it is even a pain to list them all. In short, unless you bought all of your memory sticks as certified dual channel kit (same brand, same model and tested in factory to work together), you might have all kinds of issues... or none at all, depending on your luck. Mixing RAM (in terms of model, vendor, CAS latency) is never a good idea, although in many cases there are no issues. But to be absolutely sure, all your memory modules should be purchased as a part of certified dual channel kit.

if one of the pair of ram sticks does not work on all ram slots, but the other one is fine then,

use a rubber eraser on the gold contacts of the ram stick then use compressed air to blow out dust from the ram slot.else,its a mobo issue with that specific ram xmp.else,the stick is does not have proper contact with the slot in question or defective in someway related to that.

Two dual channel kits, even if they were exactly the same, are not the same thing as one dual channel kit comprising of 4 modules. These 4 modules were never tested and certified to work together. Only 2 pairs were tested. Still, you should not be worried, if you find a combination that works, use it, this is not an issue to worry about. The problem is when you cant get it to work no matter what slot you use

if one of the pair of ram sticks does not work on all ram slots, but the other one is fine then,

use a rubber eraser on the gold contacts of the ram stick then use compressed air to blow out dust from the ram slot.else,its a mobo issue with that specific ram xmp.else,the stick is does not have proper contact with the slot in question or defective in someway related to that.

the memory stick in question doesn't work in only one specific slot. it's working in the other three slots. the other one and the 2nd pair are all working in all the slots.

since the memory in question is working in the other slots, that's where i placed it. the memory slots and the sticks are clean.

Two dual channel kits, even if they were exactly the same, are not the same thing as one dual channel kit comprising of 4 modules. These 4 modules were never tested and certified to work together. Only 2 pairs were tested. Still, you should not be worried, if you find a combination that works, use it, this is not an issue to worry about. The problem is when you cant get it to work no matter what slot you use